Device for tightening barb-wire



(No Model.)

B. L. MITCHELL.

DEVIGE FOR TIGHTENING BARB WIRE.

No; 879,486. Patented Mar. -13, 1888.

N. PETERS, Ffwlo-Li'uwp' lpberv Washington. D. c.

UNITED STAT S PATENT Grains.

BENJAMIN LEE MITCHELL, OF WILTON, VVISOONSIN.

DEVICE FOR TIGHTENING BARB-WIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,486, dated March 13, 1888.

Application filed September 2'7, 1887. Serial No. 250,831. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN LEE DIITOH ELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilton, in the county of Monroe and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Tightening Barb-\Vire; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to wire-tighteners, and has for its object to provide a simple device for tightening fence wires when through any cause they become slack.

The device is designed,chiefiy,for tightening the wires after the fence is constructed,a-nd not during or at the time of construction.

The improvement consists in a wire-tightening wrench of novel and peculiar construction, which will be more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed, and shown in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wrench, showing its reduction to practice; Fig. 2, aperspective view showing the ring or band slipped back on the shank of the wrench, part of the shank being broken away in each figure.

The wrench, is composed of the shank A, having a handle, B, at one end, and the wire holding and tightening devices at the other end,consisting of the retaining-lips c, the anchoring stud d, and the ring or band 6, adapted to slide along on the shank and over the retaining-lips c, to hold the wire in engagement therewith and to bend the wire prior to tightening it. The ring or band 6 is large enough to approach close to the end of the shank without slipping off. The retaining-lips c are undercut to hold the wire in position, and the anchoring-stud is curved rearwardly to prevent slipping of the wire.

For tightening the wire the wrench is applied with the anchoring-stud fitting over the wire. The band, previously slipped up close to the handle or in the rear of the anchoringstud,is now forced forward. This forms a loop or kink in which the wire is engaged by the retaining-lips. The wrench is now turned, forming a loop and twist, until the wire is sufficiently tightened. The ring is then slipped back and the wrench detached ready for use .again.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. A wire-tightening wrench composed of a shank having an anchoring-stud and retaining-lips, and a ring or band adapted to slide along on the shank and over the retaining'lips, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A wire-tightening wrench composed of a shank, having a handle at one end and an anchoringstud and retaining-lips at the other end, and a band or ring adapted to slide along on the stem and over the retaining-lips, substantial] y as set forth.

3. The combination, with the shank and the anchoringstud, of the ring or band adapted to slide along on the shank for bending the wire about said stud, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN LEE MITCHELL. 

